Flue cleaner



A. w. TER'RELL,

nus CLEANEIL'. I APPLICATION FltED NOV-118. 192.1.

1,414,840. te dM y2,,1922.

I I, 4 5 7 Ff '7.-

PATENT QFFEQEQ ALBERT \V. TEE-BELL, 'OF NEWIEORT NEVI S, VIRGINIA.

FLUE CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7

Patented May 2, 1922.

' Application filed November 18, 1921. SeriaI'NOQ 516,101.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT WV. TERRELL,

citizen of the United States, residing at Newport News, 'in the countyof Warwick and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Flue Cleaners; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe-same.

The invention relates to the classof tools for removing scale andincr-ustation from the inner walls of the fluesand tubes of steam andhot water boilers, and which, in operation, are rotated at a relativelyhigh speed, the cutting elements flying outwardly by centrifugal actionand automatically adapting themselves to the diameter of the flue ortube operated upon.

The invention provides a tool of the character aforesaid which iseifective and reliable for the purpose intended and which embodies rowsof cutting elements grouped about a body, each row comprising a numberof independent cutting elements and the tool being of such constructionas to admit of any one of the cutting elements being readily removed forsharpening or replacement.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves asthe nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodi ment of the invention, it is tobe understood that in adapting the same to meet diiferent conditions andrequirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor detailsof construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature ofthe invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a partof the application,

Figure 1 is a side view of a flue cleaner embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thereof,

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 8-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective of one of the cutting elements,and

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of the body portion of thetool.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and designated in the several views of the drawings by likereference characters.

The tool comprises" a polygonal body 1 having axial projections atopposite ends which receive, heads or end pieces 2 and 3, respectively.The body 1 may be of any length and comprises any number of sides. Inthe present instance, the body '1 comprises four sides, each having ahalf round channel 4: to one side of a medial line to receive the hubsof the cutting elements. The projection 5 at one end of the'body 1 isexternally threaded to receive the end piece 3 -Which is formed with ahub or boss 6 designed-to receive an operating member such as a rod, baror. shaft. The-projection at the opposite end of the body 1 comprises anangular or square portion 7 and a threaded portion 8. The end piece 2 ismounted upon,

the angular portion 7 and is retained in place by means of a nut 9mounted upon the threaded portion 8. The end pieces 2 and 3 are formedwith openings in line with the respective channels 4: of the body 1 toreceive the ends of pins 10 or like parts upon which the cuttingelements are loosely mounted.

The cutting elements are of similar or like formation each comprising asegment portion 11 and. a hub 12, the latter receiving the pins or likeparts 10. The segment portion 11 is toothed at its outer edge, asindicated at 13. The hub 12 projects laterally and provides an extendedbearing for the cutting elements besides serving to properly space thesame. The cutting elements of one row have the hubs 12 facing in onedirection, whereas the cutting elements of the adjacent rows have thehubs 12 facing in an opposite direction. As a result of this arrangementthe cutting elements have astaggered or alternate arrangement to insureevery part of the flue or tube being acted upon when the tool is inoperation: When the end piece 2 is rernoved, access may be readily hadto any one of the cutting elements, either for sharpening or replacementas required.

It is to be understood that the tool is provided in different sizes andby reason of the pivotal mounting of the cutting elements they flyoutwardly under centrifugal action thereby adapting the tool for tubesor flues of various sizes within certain limits. W hen -1n operation,the tool 1s rotated at a relatively high speed and at the same time ismoved through the flue or tube to be cleaned, the teeth 13 of thecutting elements serving to loosen and detach scale and incrustationfrom the sides of the flue or tube in a man ner readily appreciated.

What is claimed is:

1. A fine cleaner comprising an elongated polygonal loodyhavinglongitudinal channels in its sides, pins disposed opposite the severalchannels, and a plurality of cutting elements having hubs at their innerends fit ting the respective channels and receiving the pins incooperative relation therewith, the cutting elements of the several rowsbeing spaced apart and having a staggered arrangement.

2. A fine cleaner comprising an elongated body, pins grouped about thesides of the bod and a plurality of cutting elements pivotally mountedupon each of the pins in spaced relation, each of the cutting elementscomprising a segment portion toothed at its outer edge and a laterallyextending hub, the hubs of the cutting elements mounted on each of thepins facing in the same direction and the hubs of intermediate andalternate rows of cutting elements facing in opposite directions wherebyto give the cutting elements a staggered arrangement.

3. A flue cleaner comprising an elongated polygonal body having axialprojections at opposite ends and having the faces of the body channeledto one side of a medial line, end pieces mounted upon the axial projections, pins supported at their ends in the end pieces and disposedopposite the respective channels of the body, and a plurality of cuttingelements mounted on each of the pins, each of the cutting elementscomprising a segment portion toothed at its outer edge and having alaterally extending hub, said cutting elements being disposed to have astag gered arrangement.

In testimony whereol I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT W. TERRELL.

Witnesses:

llRA G. CLnMnN'rs, l/VM. G. TAYLOR.

